This year the Met Gala is celebrating the Costume Institute’s “China: Through the Looking Glass” exhibition which opens this week. It is a theme that could be either misinterpreted or rather take a big chunk of cultural appropriation and while some went very close to the line, as is often the case with the Met Gala the theme was only hinted at – remember how very un-punk a lot of attendees were last year?
Here is Part 1 (head here for Part 2) of our ‘Best of’ rundown and while a lot of these dresses could work on any fancy pants red carpet event there are still a couple of ensembles which embrace the crazy of the Met Gala.
Keri Russell’s feathered emerald and iridescent Altuzarra gown is my favorite of the night capturing the theme through the fabric and it is inspired by Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express. Smokey eye makeup is dramatic without veering into winged liner.
All things that shimmer and Sophie Turner’s pale green sequin Burberry frock veers into dripped in silver territory as she works the plunge and red lipstick.
Pink champagne for Lizzy Caplan in Donna Karan Atelier with exquisite beading detail and one of the stronger on theme outfits.
Fan Bingbing is showing off gold and cape perfection pretty much shutting the red carpet down. Definitely in my top 3.
Speaking of incredible capes here is Janelle Monae in H&M working the whole monochrome look.
More caped goodness and Emily Blunt’s Prada works one of the other big trends of the night with embellished florals.
This is what I’m talking about when it comes to the more eccentric sartorial take on this event and while I have no idea how Solange is going to sit in this hypnotic Giles fan like creation she sure looks like she was having fun out there.
This is one of those dressed to be filed under ‘any red carpet event’ and yet I am really into Gabrielle Union’s purple dress. Plus her teeny tiny clutch is on theme.
Floral Chanel Couture for Lily Collins wearing a blouse and skirt combination which could be considered maybe too casual for this event, but I think it is both fantastic and beautiful. Another high point for me.
Michael B. Jordan is working texture and floral in Dolce & Gabana taking home the best dressed dude title. So much swooning over this.
Claire Danes has gone full 90s with her lip color and her Valentino Couture gown is the perfect green companion for Michael B. Jordan’s ensemble. There’s nothing here that really hints at the theme, but the same could be said for many of the other gowns on display.
Kerry Washington’s pink Prada is a dress that looks far better in motion and is perfect for the grand stairs at the Met Gala. From the front it looks boxy and awkward; here it is a dream.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
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